In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Penn State Berks students organized several events and Berks Commission for Women is hosting a guest speaker on the topic on Oct. 16.
Berks students in the Peer Health Educator group recently planted 866 flags along the walkways on campus: Each flag represents a student currently enrolled at the campus who, statistically, will become a victim of domestic violence. The flags that represent members of the LGBTQ community include a rainbow sticker.
On Monday, Oct. 12, Matthew Bailey of Berks Women in Crisis joined students for a table presentation on the second floor lobby of the Perkins Student Center. Approximately 150 students visited the table and had the opportunity to add their handprint to a pledge banner stating that their “hands will never be used to hurt” and to complete the sentence "I say no more because…" The banner will be hung in the Perkins Student Center lobby later this week. Students also received information about domestic violence.
In addition, the Berks Commission for Women Brown Bag Series will host a lecture by Scarlett Barrett titled “Defining Forms and Behaviors of Domestic Violence and Their Residual Effects” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 16, in room 120 of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. Barrett is a peer health educator and a junior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biochemistry at Penn State Berks. She has a passion for educating others about domestic violence and also as co-vice president of the Rainbow Alliance. This presentation is open to students, faculty, and staff at Penn State Berks.